Stand up, speak out, stop Islamophobia

Politicians and the media are stoking Islamophobia, extremist fringe groups are campaigning against Muslims and some women are restricting their movements from fear. We now have three anti-Muslim parties in the Australian Senate: Pauline Hanson’s One Nation; Cory Bernardi’s Australian Conservatives and Katter’s Australian Party. It’s time for ordinary Australians to get organised against bigotry.

Voices against bigotry is building a network of Muslims and non-Muslims across the country that aims to raise an opposing voice against growing Islamophobia. We encourage ordinary people and community leaders, particularly politicians, to take a stand on this issue. Words have consequences. When politicians, the media or anti-Muslim groups encourage a public discourse that depicts Muslim women as victims and Muslim men as terrorists or sexual predators, it hurts real people by encouraging discrimination and verbal and physical attacks on Muslims. We need to replace this discourse with one that affirms our diversity, common humanity and shared wish for peace.

The Voices against Bigotry network writes articles for the media and academic journals, makes public comment and acts as a clearing house on anti-Muslim bigotry, advertising events and centralising research and information. With anti-Muslim parties gaining ground in Europe and the US, and Donald Trump’s team proposing immigration bans, internment camps and reportedly “considering a register for all Muslims”, the need to stand together against these proposals is more urgent than ever.

Endorse the statement

Voices against Bigotry condemns the vilification of Muslims. Australian society has greatly benefitted from a diversity of cultures and religions. We oppose bigotry directed against one part of our community for political ends.

Your email will not be displayed.

Voices against Bigotry

Voices against Bigotry condemns the vilification of Muslims. Australian society has greatly benefitted from a diversity of cultures and religions. We oppose bigotry directed against one part of our community for political ends.

Sunday, December 9th, 2018 at 9:22am
9. Final tip on “making Muslims feel part of a society”. Your article does the opposite. Will you give equal space to a look at Islamophobia next year? Or is this 'conversation' a shoddily researched monologue from a non-Muslim with a powerful platform?

Sunday, December 9th, 2018 at 9:22am
7. YouGov survey on homosexuality does not mention ethnicity. Figures high for males, UKIP/Conservative voters and over 60s.
8. Pew on whether it should be accepted by society, not morality. Figures same or higher in Christian/mixed countries like Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana.

Sunday, December 9th, 2018 at 9:22am
6. Re Western blunders in Middle East. Is West more responsible for regions continuing ills? When invading Iraq on flawed intelligence led to deaths of 500,000 people, giving rise to Daesh, I’d say yes.

Sunday, December 9th, 2018 at 9:22am
4. If more Muslims in Europe a problem, do you support immigration bans, deportations and sterilisation? 5. My sources on request. Wikipedia not among them. What is yours for claim that sexual assaults “in Cologne Square … involved 2000 Middle Eastern and African youths”?

Sunday, December 9th, 2018 at 9:22am
2. Is a Muslim not having a white friend the Muslim’s fault when 50% of Australians privately say they don’t want a Muslim family member, close friend or neighbour?
3. Linking forced marriage, FGC and honor killings with Muslims is a ‘political narrative’ not based in fact.

Thursday, November 22nd, 2018 at 5:39pm
Would those advocating loss of citizenship and deportation or indefinite detention for terror offences approve them being used on right-wing terrorists like Phillip Galea and Michael Holt associated with United Patriots Front and Reclaim Australia? 1/2 #auspol

Thursday, November 22nd, 2018 at 5:37pm
Or are their attacks on Australian values not as offensive given how closely they align with ideas like 'It's okay to be white', supported by our government in the federal parliament 2/2 #auspol